Call Me Crazy. I Quit My Full Time Job and Here’s Why.

Last Updated on March 25, 2021

Paralysis by analysis: overthinking possibilities to the point of inaction. I’m guilty of spending so much time in my own head that I procrastinate making big decisions. As I reflect on some of the choices I’ve made in my lifetime, I’m perplexed. On one hand, I’m a thinker. I obsess, rethink, plan, and visualize the future each and every day. My actions are goal-oriented and intentional. There is always a bigger picture to consider. On the other hand, I know I can be super impulsive at times. Not rash, per se. I just make a lot of big decisions in a short period of time. It is my way of living big! I hate wasting time. Life is too short for that. As one of my best friends put it, I am “strategically impulsive.”

2017 has been a seriously tough year for me. I haven’t blogged a ton about some of the more depressing topics I’ve dealt with mostly because my blog is supposed to be my happy place. I try to avoid discussing terrible things in an effort to keep the ball rolling. If I don’t dwell on it and focus more on the good things in my life, I should be happier, right?

This might sound odd but my biggest takeaway from this year has been the significance of living. Living the life I want to live. Living without regret. Allow me to explain. Back in February, I began a career working in financial services where I learned a great deal of invaluable information about how money works. I obtained a life insurance license in April and became all too familiar with how quickly families’ lives can be turned upside down from the death of a loved one. All it takes is one bad decision or instance of bad luck. There is no telling what tomorrow may bring. You should always insure yourself for this reason. My financial services career grants me great flexibility and the opportunity to build a business so I’ve decided to pursue it head-on without anymore side-distractions. I needed to quit my job.

As I started to learn the ropes of how to manage my money, I felt financially stressed. Ironic, yes, but becoming wealthy is like exercise; it takes work. I let that stress get to me and it affected my mind, body, and spirit. I was preoccupied, worried, overwhelmed, and not handling it well. I graduated from college and somehow everything immediately became more real. I had real bills, real responsibilities, expectations to live up to. I was under pressure. When my now-ex-boyfriend visited me over the summer, I was not emotionally present for him like I should have been. I felt myself being torn in different directions and I was losing control. I honestly regret not treating Jorge with the attention he deserved and I wish I acted differently. Hindsight is always 20/20 and that in no way changes the past. I am trying not to be too hard on myself since mistakes happen. They are meant to be learned from. My life was in a state of total flux and I didn’t know what the heck was going on.

In the midst of my post-break-up depression, my grandpa fell ill from a weakened heart. I watched the stages of his sickness progress and it just made me realize how grateful I must be each time I get to see him. I’ve always admired him for his healthy, simple lifestyle choices. He is still hanging in there but this just goes to show that no one can escape the effects of age forever. There can be no shortage of love when our time is so limited. My friend lost his mom to cancer last month. She was only 50. You have to enjoy life while you are young, healthy, and still can.

My dream is to travel the world. To accomplish this, I am rigorously attempting to build a business. My priority is to be able to afford a budget-friendly expedition from one country to another, creating memories, while discovering how to sustain a lifestyle of minimalism.

This will be the ultimate test. To take on this challenge, I’m now making the necessary moves. I met with my boss and I quit my full time sales job to fully commit myself to building a business. The sales job I’ve left behind taught me how to deal with rejection. In many ways, that set me free. My hope is that building a business and traveling will grow my self-confidence.

I’m terrified of the thought of traveling in the way I’m envisioning but this has been on my radar for years and there has never been a more perfect time to chase after it. I am young, I’m healthy, and I’m single. This is an excellent time to work hard NOW so I can eventually go off to meet people all around the world. I do not plan to buy a home in the foreseeable future and my financial obligations are manageable. The specifics (budget, location, timeline) are still being determined. With VIPKID, I could technically budget travel right away if I desired to. I’m willing to wait now since my circumstances have changed. Life doesn’t stop so it is time for me to begin planning new logistics. The world is calling!

For a long time, I struggled to figure out if it is better to travel first than work or work and then travel. Financially speaking, it is undoubtedly better to work first and then travel. I know this. The decision to pursue travel requires a willingness to forego the income and benefits I could have earned working full time. That is opportunity cost 101. What I didn’t realize until recently though is that an opportunity like NOW may never arise again. I’ll never be 22 EVER again. So maybe I will take short-term trips in the interim? It’s confusing but I’ve been making bigger and bigger decisions recently so who really knows. If I don’t do something like this now, I seriously wonder, when will I ever?

Recently Posted: VIPKID Income Report: November 2017.

6 Comments

  1. Go for it, Rocky! That’s so strange that you make big decisions on an impulse–I do the same, but seem to agonize over the small things. Weird. If you don’t do it now–then when? Have fun, enjoy life. And keep blogging about it, please!

    1. The Rocky Safari

      Thank you, Lois! It is very important to me that I don’t live with regret. As for my blog, don’t worry, I have no intentions of stopping! 🙂 Thanks for remaining loyal!!! I appreciate you!! 😀

  2. Tatiana

    Hey rocky I read your article about quitting your full time job and I don’t know why but I can relate so much to everything you wrote, it was almost as if you were describing myself in way. Well I just wanted to wish all the best and I’m sure you will make it far ?

    1. The Rocky Safari

      Hey Tatiana!!! Oh my gosh, thanks! I really appreciate you reaching out! ? It is so great to hear from you. I’m glad you enjoyed and felt you could relate to my post. I’ve seen a bunch of your pictures from your travels- I love them and it makes me smile everytime I see you in a new place. I hope I can eventually visit some of those same places too!!! Would love it even more if we both traveled someplace together again one day!

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The Rocky Safari